Creating Home. Leaving a Legacy.

Menu

Baby Philosophies

I write this as a mother in process. I have not learned or experienced it all. I have only experienced my 2 boys (ages: 2.75 years and 4.5 months) and a few dozen more as a nanny. There are many “right” ways to raise your babies and I respect a mom’s (and dad’s) choice to do what they feel passionate about. And, I hope they respect mine. So this list is compilation of things we’ve discovered and done in this family. It is a hodge podge of learned methods, books read, conference lectures, spiritual practices, observing families, and gut feelings.

I write this not to say my ways are best, but to remember what I believed at this stage in my life. I might look back and say “oh, you were so naive” or “yeah, you got that right.” But either way, these have been floating around in my head for months and it’s about time to set them down here. I write as I would write to myself…to the me before I had my babies. So in no particular order, here are my Baby Philosophies.

The first 2 weeks are the hardest. Power through. You will sleep again.

It’s OK to stare. That baby is perfection.

Receive meals, receive help.

Make time to shower and brush your teeth… and sleep. (And do it every day.)

Babies don’t understand our world. We get to teach them.

That man you have loved all this time just got 10 times hotter holding your baby.

E.A.S.Y.! Eat, Sleep, Play, & You. A great method without being hyper-scheduled.

Leave your baby and the house in the first month.

Babies can soothe themselves to sleep. (Mine did at 5 and 6 weeks)

Babies can sleep through the night. (Mine did a 8 and 10 weeks)

Be thankful and joyful everyday.

Establish a start time to the day. Wake the baby at the same time and feed (7:00 a.m. for me) then note his cues and rhythms for eating and sleeping.

You don’t have to follow “baby-led” or “parent-led” techniques you can be a fusion of both.

Work towards a 12 hour night of sleep and age appropriate naps through the day.

Keep learning. Listen to moms. Read books and blogs.

Babies are communicating to us, and it is our job to be flexible to them.

Baby gas is painful… for both of you. Learn methods to relieve that gas. Massage, movements, diet change, etc.

Don’t let them rely to heavily on “props” – whatever they need to sleep, calm, etc. they will need every single time.

Let that baby sleep on your chest. In a rainstorm. Close your eyes and enjoy.

Routines promote predictability and trust. It is a gift I can kids.

Breastfeed as long as you can to a year.

Breastfeeding is hard, great, a sacrifice, a gift, work, time…. and it is only a short season.

It’s OK to feel sad when you lose your milk supply, but you are not a failure.

Bins and labels and drawer organizers will calm the toy and clothing chaos.

Buy gender neutral when possible: toys, blankets, cups, etc.

Sleep sacs are genius. Zip down blanket and hinders climbing? Uh huh.

Wubbanubs, also genius. Baby can find and place paci. Cut off the paci and baby still has stuffed animal.

Video monitors are the most genius. Worth every penny.

Start solids when baby can sit up on their own, around 6 months. No need to force feed early.

Keep a simple log for the first year.

Note milestones, cute phrases, and stories. Compile them for a memory book.

You will not regret taking pictures.

Make time for fun as a family.

Make time for yourself: the occasional haircut, massage or pedicure will energize you!